Once upon a time in God's playground-Chapter 103 - 102

The stench of rust and blood clung to the metro walls, bitter and metallic, crawling into my nose like it wanted to set up camp.

But honestly? It smelled like victory. A dozen wannabe thugs sprawled across the concrete, groaning, clutching ribs, spitting blood, or desperately trying to gather up teeth they’d never shove back in. My bat still hummed with the aftertaste of bone cracking.

One guy, face swollen like a rotten melon, dragged himself toward me on his knees. His voice cracked like a schoolboy caught cheating on finals.

"W-Wait! Don’t kill me! I’ll... I’ll take you to Su-Bin!"

I smirked, tapping my bat against my shoulder. "Good boy. Lead the way. You just upgraded from punching bag to tour guide. Congratulations."

Roger shimmered once above me before flapping east, his shadow skimming the ceiling. His voice brushed the back of my head like a whisper too quiet for anyone else to hear:

"Found her. Lee Hyori. East side. Alive."

"Wait Roger! You can talk?.Why didn’t you said anything before?"

"Because I’m an owl and I’m not talking but I’m communicating through telepathy. Did you forget that I’m owl King’s pride. Even my enemies Raven King Rakaroz knew about me." Roger turned his head 180°, his facial features felt like he was laughing at me.

My chest tightened."Bastard. Let’s move on."

Good. That meant I just had to bulldoze through whatever circus freak ran this dump. Easy.

The coward led me deeper through the tunnels. The air thickened—damp, stale, heavy with mold and smoke. Then the space widened, opening into what could only be described as an underground kingdom for rats. Torches sputtered on the walls, shadows stretched and swayed, and in the center sat Su-Bin.

Not on a chair. Not even on a couch. No—on a throne. Cracked concrete, graffiti scrawled across the back, chains dangling like jewelry. He looked like a villain auditioning for a role he wasn’t qualified for.

But the cages broke the act.

Chains clinked against the walls. People huddled inside—thin, pale, eyes hollow with hunger. Prisoners. Survivors. Debts walking on legs. My jaw tightened.

Su-Bin’s eyes flicked open when we entered. They glinted like glass—sharp, reflective, empty. His voice slashed through the silence.

"Why... did you bring a stranger into my base?"

The thug in front of me practically folded in half, bowing so low his forehead nearly kissed the floor. His whole body shook.

"B-but boss! He—he beat the shit out of everyone! I didn’t have a choice, he forced me!"

I leaned my bat against my shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Relax, Concrete Barbie. He’s not lying. I’m just efficient like that."

Su-Bin’s gaze slid over to me, cold and calculating, like he was already deciding which part of me to carve up first.

"...And who exactly are you?"

I tilted my head, keeping my tone casual. "Name’s Shin Ye-jun. Came from Ulsan. Looking for my friend. And word on the street is... someone named *Su-Bin* kidnapped her."

The room froze. You could’ve heard a drop of spit echo.

Su-Bin rose slowly from his throne, every movement deliberate. His footsteps echoed like the beat of a war drum as he crossed the space and stopped in front of me. Then, with mock kindness, he placed his hand on my shoulder. His grip was iron, but his smile? Too sweet. Poison dressed up as candy.

"You should leave. Your friend isn’t here."

I stared straight into his eyes, unblinking. "Really? Huh. Then I guess you haven’t stolen Lee Hyori’s ability yet... otherwise you’d already know exactly what’s about to happen to you."

The fake smile twitched. Cracked. Just slightly.

That’s when I swung.

The bat sliced through the air like a guillotine. But instead of face, it slammed into *stone*. His upper body hardened in an instant, skin shifting into jagged gray concrete. The impact rattled up my arms like hitting a wall with a car.

"Cute trick," I muttered, shaking the sting out of my wrist. I hopped back, putting distance between us. "But here’s the thing. This doesn’t need to get ugly. Release the people you’ve got chained up, and we can skip the whole skull-smashing arc of this conversation."

Su-Bin’s eyes narrowed. His tone dropped, sharp and venomous.

"These people *owe* me. I’ve been fighting this city’s battles while the rest of you cowards ran and hid. They live because of me. Their debt belongs to me."

I barked a laugh, all teeth. "Protection? You mean prison."

I didn’t wait for his reply.

"Junior—time to stretch."

The baby spider monkey screeched as it tore out from my hoodie. Shadows curled around me like a storm of black threads. My bones cracked. Muscles twisted. Fur sprouted, claws ripping through my fingertips. My body elongated, tail snapping out like a whip.

Beastification. Spider monkey form.

The whole room gasped as if the air had been sucked out of it.

Su-Bin stumbled back, eyes wide, face pale for the first time. "You... you’re not human. You’re a monster!"

Before I could quip back, the shadows under me rippled. Han Ji-a rose from them, her form seeping upward like spilled ink. Her eyes glowed faintly, lips trembling—but her voice was firm.

"I’m done hiding."

Su-Bin froze, his gaze darting from me—fangs bared, claws glinting—to Ji-a standing like a phantom reborn.

Perfect timing.

I tilted my head toward the rafters. A faint hoot echoed back, Roger circling above, waiting for orders.

"Roger. Take her. Get Ji-a to Hyori."

Ji-a’s eyes widened, fear and protest all tangled in her trembling voice. "Ye-jun—no, you can’t—"

I grinned, fangs flashing. "No buts. Time for the bird to carry the spider.

Su-Bin’s face twisted, fury spilling across his features. He spun, voice cracking with rage.

"STOP HER! Don’t let that bitch leave!"

Dozens of his men burst from the shadows, weapons gleaming, charging for Ji-a.

And me?

I slammed my claws into the ground, tail snapping, heat roaring through my blood.

"Alright then..." I grinned, crouching low, eyes burning.

"Who’s first?"